The Most Outdated Wedding Traditions That Really Don't Make Any Sense
May 15, 2014 21:20
One of the worse things about planning a wedding is in trying to stick with certain traditions just to keep everybody happy. But shouldn't the couple get a say in what they actually want for their own wedding day?
Below a list of the most outdated wedding traditions that are still being practiced today. Which would you decide to ditch once you finally get hitched?
Not Seeing Each Other Before the Wedding
Back during the era of arranged marriages, it was believed if the couple might change their minds if they saw each other before the ceremony.
Gender-Specific Wedding Parties
Grooms have groomsmen and brides have bridesmaids. But would you really want to force your fiance to make your best guy friend a groomsman when he really would have more fun at the bachelorette party?
Bride's Side and Groom's Side
In Christian ceremonies, the bride's family sits on the left while the groom's sits on the right. But when you marry someone, you also marry their entire family. So why separate them in the first place?
The Bride's Family Paying for the Wedding
In many cultures, the brides family is usually expected to pay for the entire wedding ceremony regardless of their financial circumstances. But getting into debt doesn't sound like a good way to start any marriage.
Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue
This tradition comes from an Old English rhyme; The Something Old represents the connection the bride will keep with her family; Something New represents good fortune in her new married life; Something Borrowed connotes that the bride will still have her old friends even when she is married; and Something Blue stands for faithfulness and loyalty. Sounds more of a hassle than anything else.
Smashing Cake Into Each Other's Faces
What a waste of good cake. This tradition started off by breaking a piece of bread over the brides head (symbolizing home and hearth). Once wedding cakes took prominence, the breaking led to smashing of cakes on the face.
Throwing Rice
This time-honored tradition was meant to shower the new couple with prosperity, fertility and, of course, good fortune. But having uncooked rice tossed in your face does not sound like fun at all!
Bringing a Plus One
Is it really that wrong to attend a wedding alone? Plus, why waste money having to pay to invite someone you barely even know?
Giving out Wedding Favors
Wedding favors are no doubt fun, but it can also be a major drain on the bank account. Plus, would your guests really end up using all those novelty gifts after the wedding?
"Giving Away" The Bride
This antiquated tradition was started back when women were considered their father's property until they got married... which meant they then became their husband's property. The bride was literally "given away" in exchange for a price (dowry). We have no problems with fathers walking their daughters down the aisle just for the sake of it.
The Garter Toss
The tradition originates back to the 14th century, where it was believed that grabbing a piece of the bride's dress would bring good luck. To prevent rowdy guests from ripping the wedding dress, they decided to cast pieces of their dress to their guests. Plus, would you really want your male guests to get their hands on to something that's was once tightly strapped around your thigh?
The Bouquet Toss
The bouquet toss also stems from the tradition that parts of the brides' dress brings good luck. More often enough, this can result in a full-scale brawl between slightly-drunk bridesmaids. So for everyone's sake, maybe it's time to put this tradition to rest.
Wearing a White Dress
Who says that the bride must only wear white? Not only is it difficult to maintain, its impossible to avoid staining it during all that partying.
Wearing a Veil
Back in ancient Rome, it was believed that evil spirits would be attracted to the bride. Her face was covered with a veil in order to conceal her features and confuse them. Not so romantic now is it?
Diamond Rings
Let's face it, diamonds are nothing but wildly overpriced stones. They're not even rare, and many major diamond retailers purposely increase their prices just to fool consumers into thinking its worth spending all that cash.
Below a list of the most outdated wedding traditions that are still being practiced today. Which would you decide to ditch once you finally get hitched?
Not Seeing Each Other Before the Wedding
Back during the era of arranged marriages, it was believed if the couple might change their minds if they saw each other before the ceremony.
Gender-Specific Wedding Parties
Grooms have groomsmen and brides have bridesmaids. But would you really want to force your fiance to make your best guy friend a groomsman when he really would have more fun at the bachelorette party?
Bride's Side and Groom's Side
In Christian ceremonies, the bride's family sits on the left while the groom's sits on the right. But when you marry someone, you also marry their entire family. So why separate them in the first place?
The Bride's Family Paying for the Wedding
In many cultures, the brides family is usually expected to pay for the entire wedding ceremony regardless of their financial circumstances. But getting into debt doesn't sound like a good way to start any marriage.
Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue
This tradition comes from an Old English rhyme; The Something Old represents the connection the bride will keep with her family; Something New represents good fortune in her new married life; Something Borrowed connotes that the bride will still have her old friends even when she is married; and Something Blue stands for faithfulness and loyalty. Sounds more of a hassle than anything else.
Smashing Cake Into Each Other's Faces
What a waste of good cake. This tradition started off by breaking a piece of bread over the brides head (symbolizing home and hearth). Once wedding cakes took prominence, the breaking led to smashing of cakes on the face.
Throwing Rice
This time-honored tradition was meant to shower the new couple with prosperity, fertility and, of course, good fortune. But having uncooked rice tossed in your face does not sound like fun at all!
Bringing a Plus One
Is it really that wrong to attend a wedding alone? Plus, why waste money having to pay to invite someone you barely even know?
Giving out Wedding Favors
Wedding favors are no doubt fun, but it can also be a major drain on the bank account. Plus, would your guests really end up using all those novelty gifts after the wedding?
"Giving Away" The Bride
This antiquated tradition was started back when women were considered their father's property until they got married... which meant they then became their husband's property. The bride was literally "given away" in exchange for a price (dowry). We have no problems with fathers walking their daughters down the aisle just for the sake of it.
The Garter Toss
The tradition originates back to the 14th century, where it was believed that grabbing a piece of the bride's dress would bring good luck. To prevent rowdy guests from ripping the wedding dress, they decided to cast pieces of their dress to their guests. Plus, would you really want your male guests to get their hands on to something that's was once tightly strapped around your thigh?
The Bouquet Toss
The bouquet toss also stems from the tradition that parts of the brides' dress brings good luck. More often enough, this can result in a full-scale brawl between slightly-drunk bridesmaids. So for everyone's sake, maybe it's time to put this tradition to rest.
Wearing a White Dress
Who says that the bride must only wear white? Not only is it difficult to maintain, its impossible to avoid staining it during all that partying.
Wearing a Veil
Back in ancient Rome, it was believed that evil spirits would be attracted to the bride. Her face was covered with a veil in order to conceal her features and confuse them. Not so romantic now is it?
Diamond Rings
Let's face it, diamonds are nothing but wildly overpriced stones. They're not even rare, and many major diamond retailers purposely increase their prices just to fool consumers into thinking its worth spending all that cash.
